ExoExplorers
Meet the ExoExplorers
[Click here to meet previous ExoExplorer cohorts!]
2025 ExoExplorers
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Madelyn Broome
Affiliation: UC Santa Cruz
Bio: I am a 5th-year Cota-Robles Fellow working on exoplanet theory with Ruth Murray-Clay at UC Santa Cruz. I earned my bachelor's in Astrophysics from Princeton in 2019 and master's from Cambridge the following year. I currently work on developing Wind-AE, an open-source forward model for photoionization-driven atmospheric escape that includes metals and full X-ray physics. My other research areas of interest include rocky planet geophysics and astrobiology. In addition to those research areas, I have a real passion for pedagogy and curriculum development that I have also leveraged as an AAS Osterbrock fellow to design an annual outreach event for Native American pre-college students. I also enjoy making science more approachable and have written for a variety of publications over the years, as well as currently co-running the UC’s Ask an Astronomer program. When I am not mentoring students, I serve as the strength and conditioning coach for the UCSC Rugby teams and can be also be found doing athletics, baking, outdoor adventuring, watching films, or patronizing the arts.
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Ben Cassese
Affiliation: Columbia University
Bio: I'm a 4th year PhD student in astronomy at Columbia University with an interest in exoplanets, planetary science, and the connections between the two. My current research on the former focuses on modeling and searching for signatures of planetary oblateness in high-precision transit observations taken by facilities like JWST, and on hunting for exomoon companions to cold gas giants. In the latter category, I'm working on a survey for solar system objects in archival TESS data. In all areas of my research, I'm passionate about developing accessible, open-source community software tools and enabling low-barrier, reproducible science. I received my bachelor’s degree from Caltech in Planetary Science and History, took time off to hike the Appalachian Trail, and have been in busy New York ever since. Outside of research, I also enjoy science writing, and I have previously served as both a member of the Astrobites collaboration and the AAS media fellow.
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Ashika Capirala
Affiliation: Purdue University
Bio: I'm a 4th-year PhD candidate at Purdue University working with Dr. Stephanie Olson. My research involves studying the co-evolution of physical and biogeochemical systems on Earth to better understand our planet's history and the potential for complex life on other Earth-like worlds. I use 3D models to simulate oceanographic conditions across a range of scenarios that might make an Earth-like planet extremely different from the one we know today -- including different orbital and tectonic parameters, ocean chemistry, and ecosystems. My results help constrain the range of habitable environments and potential biosignatures across space and time, aiding interpretations of future biosignature detections. Beyond research, I’m committed to efforts that make (exo)planetary science and academia a place where everyone feels welcomed and valued. I'm also invested in initiatives that connect our scientific narratives beyond research, including science communication, education, and collaboration with the arts and humanities. Outside work, I love reading, design/illustration, taking long walks, and exploring museums!
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Samantha Hasler
Affiliation: MIT
Bio: I am a Planetary Science PhD candidate at MIT. My research is focused on precursor science and developing analysis tools for reflected light direct imaging of exoplanets. I aim to understand how we can use orbital phase and atmospheric composition of exoplanets to discriminate observations in reflected light and “deconfuse” planet detections in images of multi-planet systems. I am also interested in understanding the solar system planets as exoplanet analogs, and I use data from the New Horizons mission to study Uranus and Neptune at high phase angles. Before joining MIT, I received my B.S. in Physics at Southeast Missouri State University. Beyond academics, I am passionate about scientific outreach and organize public Astronomy on Tap events in Boston. Outside of research, I love spending time with my cats, reading, baking, and hiking. I am also on a mission to visit every National Park.
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Jayke Nguyen
Affiliation: UC San Diego
Bio: I am a PhD candidate in the Astronomy & Astrophysics program at the University of California, San Diego. My current research is on ground-based direct imaging of exoplanets in the mid-IR, seeking to better characterize exoplanet atmospheres. Much of this work has involved characterizing the systematic thermal blackbody background present in both the telescope and atmosphere that typically limit these types of observations. I also helped build the new pyramid wavefront sensor for the Gemini Planet Imager 2.0 (GPI 2.0) upgrade, which is planned to go on sky in 2025. I’m presently working on adaptive optics simulations of GPI 2.0 to test the upgraded performance and the potential yield of planets we may discover. Broadly, I have interests in adaptive optics, protoplanetary disks, and planetary formation theory. Beyond research, I regularly help organize and volunteer for various astronomy outreach events including Astronomy On Tap. I have a passion for teaching and mentoring, and currently supervise several undergraduate students. In my free time I enjoy photography/videography and riding my motorcycle along the coast in San Diego.
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Federica Rescigno
Affiliation: University of Birmigham
Bio: I am a new postdoc at the Sun, Stars and Exoplanets group at the University of Birmigham. I obtained my MPhys at Durham University, and my PhD at the University of Exeter, all in the UK. My research primarily focuses on Sun-as-a-star RV timeseries, from HARPS-N to SDO, and I am currently using 40 years of Birmingham Solar Oscillation Network (BiSON) radial velocity data to investigate stellar variability phenomena across the solar magnetic cycles over timescales from minutes to years and to study optimal observational strategies for new RV missions. Alongside my research, I am also very active in outreach: I have led events aimed at demystifying science geared at school-age children and have been an invited speaker at the UK National Science Centre on multiple occasions. In my free time I love book-binding and cross-stitching.
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Peter Smith
Affiliation: Arizona State University
Bio: I am a fifth year PhD Candidate at Arizona State University. Before I came to Arizona, I earned my bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin. My research centers around the atmospheres of transiting giant exoplanets with the goals of understanding their formation histories and climates. This can be approached with either high or low resolution spectroscopy, and each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. A major theme of my work is investigating the different information afforded by each method and how the combination of the two can enable more complete inferences of a planet’s atmospheric structure. When I’m not staring at a laptop, I’m passionate about mentorship of undergraduates and public outreach. I am also a member of the Astronomy Education Research group at ASU, where my work has explored the benefits of incorporating citizen science activities in the classroom. In my free time, I love to hike, read, and bake.
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Emma Turtelboom
Affiliation: UC Berkeley
Bio: I am a graduating PhD student at UC Berkeley, where my work is focused on characterising multi-planet systems and understanding whether models of planetary system architectures are both descriptive and predictive. I primarily use transit and radial velocity data in my work, and love working with students to measure planet masses and radii. I am also passionate about mentoring, and help coordinate a mentoring program and workshop series for community college students, aiming to help each student develop a sense of belonging in STEM. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors and with my three-legged cat Oona.
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Nick Tusay
Affiliation: Pennsylvania State University
Bio: I am a non-traditional graduate student and 5th year PhD candidate in astronomy and astrophysics and astrobiology at Penn State. I am an NSF Graduate Research Fellow, PI of a JWST Cycle 2 GO Program to observe a disintegrating exoplanet using the MIRI LRS instrument, and a Visiting Graduate Student Fellow at IPAC. My dissertation research is an astrobiological exploration combining the search for life through technosignatures as biosignatures and improving our understanding of habitable worlds by studying the composition of exoplanets. Beyond astronomy, my interests include rock climbing, taking care of my 2 cats, studying Japanese, and playing video games.
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Grant Weldon
Affiliation: UCLA
Bio: I am a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Los Angeles, where I study the dynamical processes that shape the diversity of exoplanet systems. My research focuses on the high-eccentricity migration and tidal disruption of giant planets. I am particularly interested in how interactions between planetary structure and orbital dynamics sculpt both individual system architectures and population-level trends. Originally from Michigan, I completed my B.S. in physics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Outside of research, I enjoy competing in video game tournaments and surfing.
